Many ways to enjoy Independence Day weekend

Kate Campbell and Erica KrittTHE BALTIMORE SUN

Five years into the new millennium, when people can listen to patriotic music on MP3 players while riding the MARC to work and check the blazing temperature on cell phones, many of the area's Fourth of July events have distinctly historical themes to remind people of the nation's heritage.

While most events include the barbecue, marching bands, fireworks and sparklers we've come to expect, plenty of events re-create the past and remind us of our forebears' struggle.

Following is a sampling of Fourth of July events around the state and Washington, including early celebrations tomorrow and over the weekend, from rousing concerts and historical re-enactments to fireworks to crafts.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Arnold

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra's first summer series performance Saturday, Anne Arundel Community College, featuring Sousa, Tchaikovsky, Copland, John Williams and patriotic anthems. Pre-show including contemporary Latin band Solazo and the Anne Arundel Community College Jazz Singers begins at 4:30 p.m. The orchestra program begins at 8 p.m. Fireworks will follow the concert around 9:30 p.m. Rain date is Sunday. Siegert Field, Arnold campus, 101 College Parkway. Admission is free. Call 410-269-1132 or visit www.annapolissymphony.org.

Annapolis

The Independence Day parade will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Amos Garrett Boulevard and will proceed through downtown Annapolis. At 8 p.m., the U.S. Naval Academy Band will play at Susan C. Campbell Park at the City Dock. Fireworks will follow at approximately 9:15 p.m., and local music will play after the display. Rain date is July 5. Call 410-263-1183 or 410-263-7940.

Take a cruise off the Annapolis City Dock Monday and watch the fireworks from the water. From 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., you can sit back and enjoy a DJ and snacks. Children 11 and under are $25 and all adults are $45. Call 410-268-7601, ext. 104.

World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt St. Top of the World Observation Level open Monday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.. Admission $5; $4 for seniors; $3 for children 3-12. Call 410-837-8439 or visit www.balti more.org.

Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway. On Monday, guests are encouraged to pack a picnic or purchase food at the museum while watching fireworks from the waterfront location. There will be a moonbounce and face painting for kids. Gates open at 6 p.m. $35 per car covers parking and admission. $5 per person at the gate if guests park elsewhere. Call 410-727-4808, ext. 132.

Rusty Scupper restaurant, south side of Inner Harbor. Monday's buffet will feature steamed crabs, fried chicken, hamburgers, ribs, shrimp, drink specials. Live music by DJ Chip Kalisch, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Reserved tickets are $75 for adults and $30 for children. At the door, $85 for adults and $40 for children. Call 410-727-3678.

Monday's celebration begins at Catonsville High School with games and races for the kids at 9:30 a.m. The parade starts at 3 p.m. at Frederick Road and Montrose Avenue. In the early evening, there will be music and a tribute to veterans. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Call 410-744-9655 or visit www.catonsville.org/july4.

Cockeysville

Oregon Ridge Park. "A Star Spangled Spectacular" Monday includes patriotic music performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The event begins at 8 p.m., with Kids' Ridge, a new feature including a super slide, rock wall and moon bounce, opening at 5 p.m. Located on Beaver Dam Road. Tickets can be bought on site. $8 for children and $17 for adults. Call 410-783-8000.

Dundalk

The Dundalk Heritage Fair will celebrate its 30th anniversary tomorrow through Sunday. The festival has three stages of music, at Heritage Park on Dunmanway and Trading Place, ranging from oldies to Cajun. Headliners include B.J. Thomas (8 p.m. Friday) and Asleep at the Wheel (8 p.m. Saturday), 75 vendors, rides and games. Noon-9:30 p.m. each day. Children 12 and under are free, $4 for adults. On Monday, the Independence Day parade begins at the Logan Village Shopping Center, Dundalk Avenue, at 8:30 a.m. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. over the North Point Government Center, Merritt Boulevard and Wise Avenue. Call 410-284-0591.

Kingsville

The Greater Kingsville Civic Association and the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company sponsor the 25th Independence Day parade Monday. Pre-parade entertainment begins at 10 a.m. at the Mercantile and Kingsville market. The parade begins at 10:50 a.m. at the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company on Bellevue Avenue. Awards will be given out at 11 a.m. at the market. Call 410-592-7385.

Towson

Patriotic parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Towsontown Boulevard and Bosley Avenue, proceeding north on Bosley Avenue, east on Allegheny Avenue and south on Washington Avenue. Affected streets close at 9 a.m. Donations will be accepted during the parade. All public parking garages are open and free. Admission is free. Parade will not be canceled in event of rain. Parents and children riding in the Bike Rush, which will lead the parade, must assemble at the Towson University Health Center at 9 a.m. Call 410-832-2190.

Carroll County Farm Museum. On Monday, from noon till the fireworks end, the farm museum will celebrate the holiday with stage entertainment, a display of folk pottery and antique dolls, vendors selling crafts and foods and mule-pulled wagon rides. Visitors may also tour the grounds and see demonstrations of colonial skills. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. July 5 is the rain date for the fireworks. 500 S. Center Drive. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 7 to 18, free for children 6 and under. A $5 parking fee per vehicle will be collected beginning at 5 p.m. Call 410-876-2667.

CECIL COUNTY

North East

The town of North East will celebrate Independence Day on July 3 with a tribute to Cecil County's veterans. The gates of North East Community Park will open at 5 p.m., and the evening will include military displays, a flag raising, tributes and music. Fireworks will be at 9:15 p.m. on Walnut Street. Call 410-287-5801.

Celebrate the holiday from 9 a.m. till 10 p.m. Monday. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on North Main Street, off exit 14A of Interstate 68. Afterward, there will be crafts, games, a walking tour and food. Call 301-746-6346.

Come out early to the Bel Air High School Monday to celebrate diversity. Festivities begin at 6:45 a.m. with a flag-raising and continue with a blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast. Throughout the day, there will be events for children and adults. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. at North Main and Lee streets. The fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. Breakfast is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Call 410-893-4444.

HOWARD COUNTY

Columbia

Lake Kittamaqundi at the Lakefront of Columbia. On Monday, food is served starting at 2 p.m., live music begins at 4 p.m. and many other activities run throughout the day including face-painting and fortune-reading. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Rain date is July 10. Call 410-740- 4545 or visit www.columbia kiwanis.com.

KENT COUNTY

Rock Hall

The Country/Bluegrass Jamboree on Sunday will feature the fiddle, noon until 6 p.m. at Oyster Court. Chester River Runoff will be at 2 p.m. and BitterCreek at 4 p.m. on the Mainstay deck. Fireworks will be displayed at 9 p.m. over the harbor. Free. Call 410-778-0416.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Gaithersburg

The city of Gaithersburg and Big 100.3-FM team up to put on this year's celebration Monday. Gates will open at 5 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds at 16 Chestnut St. Games start at 6 p.m. followed by a concert at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. watch the Miss and Mr. Firecracker winners be announced and get ready for the fireworks, which will start at dark. Free. Call 301-258-6350 ext. 136.

The fairgrounds park at 400 N. Mulberry St. will be open Monday at 4 p.m. for the pre-fireworks celebration. The night will include musical entertainment from 6 p.m. until the fireworks show ends at 9:30 p.m. Call 301-739-8577 ext. 116.

Jamboree in the Park, 127th Street and the bay, will begin Monday at 5 p.m. There will be two stages of entertainment for adults and kids plus traveling entertainers in the crowd. There will be inflatable rides, arts and crafts and plenty of food. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Fees are for food, crafts and carnival games only. Call 410-250-0125.

North Division Street Beach. At 8 p.m., Monday, the festivities will commence with a concert by the U.S. Air Force Mid-Atlantic Band. Fireworks will follow at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call 410-250-0125.